AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER16
William drew the drapes back against the rainy sky and turned to face his father where he was seated in his customary chair near the fire. The storm had remained mild, though present, and it fostered unease in William’s gut.
“I’m not sure it is a good idea to go out on the ocean tonight.”
“It is perfect,” Roger said. “I was having a pint in town just this afternoon and heard others complaining. No one plans to fish tonight. We are in the clear.”
“They do not plan to fish because of the lack of moon or because of the storm?”
Roger shrugged. “Both, I gather.”
“Believe it or not, that does not make me feel more at ease.”
“We can’t let Jack down,” Father said, a finality in his tone that grated on William. The very reason he was willing to participate in their venture tonight was because he couldn’t let his brother down—not until he made sure Jack was prepared to continue on without William’s help. But were their lives not more important than leaving Jack to manage the contraband for another day or so? Though that would be dangerous, too.
William’s temper flared. “So we ought to die in order to make sure his stores are delivered? I cannot imagine a soul from Collacott willing to go out with us tonight.”
Father’s face hardened. “If you’d put more of an effort into winning over the men, we would have more.”
“More? So we do have some?” He chose to ignore the pointed dig at his lackluster efforts. He knew he should have tried harder, but he was tired of using people, of charming them for the sole purpose of winning them over to his side. It was an important feature of his old position, for he couldn’t expect anyone to turn their backs to his smuggling and pretend they were ignorant of his law-breaking activities unless they benefited from it or approved of him personally. But Collacott felt different. William wanted to forge genuine relationships here, not charm people into liking him so they wouldn’t report on him to the revenue men.
Silence sat in the small, damp cottage. William pled for patience and moved to sit near his father and the fire. The warmth from the flames ate away at the chill clinging to his clammy skin. He’d changed out of his wet things, but the cold had lingered. “What men have already agreed to help?”
“John Caney and his nephew, Samuel.”
“What about the other bloke?” Roger asked, biting into the pie Lily had left for their supper. “The cook’s father.”
The cook’s father? Roger could not even do her the decency of recalling her name? “Mr. Burke?”
“Yes, that’s the one,” Roger said.
Father looked at the fire. “I’m not sure if he’ll come.”
William’s body froze. Hadn’t Pippa told him that she’d met Ainsworth after he knocked on Burke’s door? “Why aren’t you sure?”
Silence met his question, and William did his best to tamp down his frustration. When would his father learn to trust him with the things that were important? If William didn’t know Father’s entire scheme, he could not adequately prepare for things not going according to plan.
Adversely, he’d remained undecided about whether or not telling Father of Ainsworth again was worth the effort when he hadn’t believed William the first time, but now he had no choice.
“Ainsworth was in Collacott today questioning the people about our habits. He went to Burke’s door, but—”
Father sat up. “What did Burke tell him?”
“Nothing. The man wasn’t found at home. He was likely off selling his fish in Upper Mowstead.”
Father visibly relaxed, and it only irked William further. “Do you not see the danger in our going out tonight? Ainsworth is here. The man is desperate to make us pay.” Lightning flashed outside as though the sky were helping to prove his point, and William pointed to the window. “If Ainsworth doesn’t lock us up, the sea certainly will.”
“We’re smugglers, Son. Danger is part of the gig.”
That attitude once excited and buoyed William, but no more. “I don’t wish to have any part of this.”
Roger took another bite of his pie. “Then don’t come.”
“He’ll come,” Father growled. He turned his frown on William. “He’s a Blakemore. And Blakemores don’t leave their men behind.”
“None of us would be left behind if we all chose to—”
“Enough, Will. I was speaking of Jack.”
Ah, yes. Jack. Try as he might, William couldn’t think of a reason good enough to convince his father to leave Jack without a way to offload his smuggled goods. Apparently their safety was not a good enough reason. If tonight was going to continue as planned, William had no choice but to help. Father had been correct on that score: William wouldn’t leave his brother in a bind.
“I’ll help this time for Jack’s sake, but it is my last.”
Father looked at him shrewdly but didn’t argue.
William leaned forward and rested his elbows on his thighs, drawing closer to the hearth in the hopes that his body would warm quicker. He had two hours before it was time to venture out. Perhaps if he prayed hard enough, the weather would mellow and Ainsworth would stay far, far away.
